NALC and CPRE launch a new guide to empower communities to shape local development

Today, alongside the CPRE (The Countryside Charity), we launched an exciting update to one of the most trusted resources for responding to planning applications. As planning reforms and rapid development continue to reshape towns and countryside, communities need tools to ensure local voices are heard.

The revamped guide is the go-to starting point for anyone who wants to understand – and have a say in – what gets built in their local area. With tens of thousands of downloads, the guide has long been a favourite for those keen to protect and shape their communities. Now, it's clearer, sharper, and more accessible than ever.

The guide is split into two easy-to-navigate parts. Part one cuts through the jargon and explains the English planning system in plain English. It helps readers understand how planning decisions are made and how the system works behind the scenes. Part two walks you through eight practical steps to responding effectively to planning applications, from understanding the background to writing strong, constructive comments and rallying community support.

This updated guide makes the planning system easier to understand and shows people exactly how they can get involved. As the government drives forward its growth and reform agenda, it's more important than ever for communities to understand what's at stake — and how they can help shape local decisions. Our goal is to empower more people, especially those unfamiliar with planning, to take a confident, active role in shaping the places they live and care about.

Cllr Keith Stevens
NALC chair